Do you own a 440?

[(Just) Allan]

What's your honest opinion of your 440:

How reliable/how often does it need repairs?
What kind of fuel economy does it get?
How comfortable is it to sit in for hours?
Is the air conditioning nice and cold (if you have it)?
What's the acceleration like?

 

[FleebleSquorm]

I had a two litre 440 for a few years, and I thought it was great. It didn't go wrong very often, although the speedo was a bit unreliable in the winter. The air conditioning was pants. It was comfortable to sit in for hours, for certain, and the adjustable seats meant that I could reach all the controls and still see out of the windscreen. Acceleration was fine, I got somewhere around 35mpg I think but I couldn't be sure.

Some years back I test drove a Daewoo, I've forgotten which one. I was so relieved to get back into my Volvo! Go-cart is how I would describe it, and I was worried about the gearstick breaking off in my hand!

Got to be said, though, now I have an 850R, and it shows the 440 up in a big way. The air con is pants again, but who cares, really? I only need it for two weeks a year. It's a much nicer car to drive all round, you can see better out of it, it makes no road noise at seventy (the 440 gets quite loud beyond about sixty). Going round corners and acceleration? Don't make me laugh.

440s are relatively cheap now, and I think that they can represent good value for money.

 

[David Balfour]

What's your honest opinion of your 440:

How reliable/how often does it need repairs?

We've had three, all have lasted well (still have one, the two others were crashed). Suspension bushings need doing at 80 to 100,000 miles. Other than that, no regular major repairs except the tailgate struts get weak in the winter (one offs come to mind, starter motor, auxillary water pump, neither too expoensive from GSF car parts). They start on the button even in winter. Never had any rust problems either (although G and H regs are supposed to suffer). PAS is a good idea, and it got better after the '93 models (L reg / new shape and on).

What kind of fuel economy does it get?

Between 37 to 42 mpg, we've had 2 x 1.6 litres and a 1.8 and I'm hardly easy on them

How comfortable is it to sit in for hours?

Very comfortable, long distance cruises are no trouble at all. Factory fitted stereo's aren't up to much though.

Is the air conditioning nice and cold (if you have it)?

No, the AC is rubbish! Only had it once and it didn't work.

What's the acceleration like?

Good, even the 1.6 is adequate. The 1.7 is supposed to be the best, the 1.7 turbo is brilliant. 2 litre is very torquey.

I would, and do, recommend them to anybody. Excellent value for money now.

David

 

[(Just) Allan]

Never had any rust problems either (although G and H regs are supposed to suffer). PAS is a good idea, and it got better after the '93 models (L reg / new shape and on).

Thanks for the reply. You've lost me though - what are G and H regs, and PAS?

No, the AC is rubbish! Only had it once and it didn't work.

Do you think this was because it needed a service, or did you buy new and it just never worked?

David

Thanks again...

Allan

 

[David Balfour]

Thanks for the reply. You've lost me though - what are G and H regs,

and PAS?

Sorry, I'm in the UK and G and H are the registration marks given to 1990 and 1991 registered cars respectively. I believe Volvo rustproofing improved significantly from late 1991 onwards.

PAS is an abbreviation for power assisted steering, or power steering as it's more commonly known. The early shape (pre 1993) 400 series did not have it as standard and the only one I've driven was too light for my liking. On my latest, 1995 440 the PAS is good though. My first 400 was a 1993 1.6Li and didn't have it, it was very heavy to park.

Do you think this was because it needed a service, or did you buy new and it just never worked?

It needed a service, but it was beyond my or my mechanic to do it. Volvo wanted £600 to sort it out and I just couldn't be bothered - the heater worked ok.

Hope this helps,

David

 

[(Just) Allan]

PAS is an abbreviation for power assisted steering, or power steering as it's more commonly known. The early shape (pre 1993) 400 series did not have it as standard and the only one I've driven was too light for my liking. On my latest, 1995 440 the PAS is good though. My first 400 was a 1993 1.6Li and didn't have it, it was very heavy to park.

Oh ok - I didn't think it would need power steering being a smaller car. What's the turning circle like? I drove a Hyundai a few years ago, and it's turning circle was pathetic. You had to plan your turns all the time, because you couldn't get enough spin out of the steering wheel!

It needed a service, but it was beyond my or my mechanic to do it. Volvo wanted £600 to sort it out and I just couldn't be bothered - the heater worked ok.

Heh - yeah, they always do - especially in Australia. Air conditioners on the other hand, never seem to. I bet in places like Switzerland and Canada the air con works fine. : D

Allan.

 

[David Balfour]

Oh ok - I didn't think it would need power steering being a smaller car. What's the turning circle like? I drove a Hyundai a few years ago, and it's turning circle was pathetic. You had to plan your turns all the time, because you couldn't get enough spin out of the steering wheel!

The turning circle is pretty similar to other front wheel drive cars of that era. Certainly not as good as my 240 but it wasn't awful.

David

 

[(Just) Allan]

The turning circle is pretty similar to other front wheel drive cars of that era. Certainly not as good as my 240 but it wasn't awful.

David

Thanks!